With the floodlights beaming in at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Indian Super League again made its way to the capital city as Punjab FC got their home campaign underway. The side coached by Panagiotis Dilmperis managed to make it two wins in two with Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine getting on the scoresheet for the Shers.
The game began on a streaky note with either side failing to establish their dominance. But Sudeesh playing on the left flank, was able to cut his way through for the first major chance of the game.
To be fair to the hosts, there were moments like when Vinit Rai and Sudheesh looked to cut their way past. But it was Filip Mrzlijak who showcased his class with a cheeky flick onto Sudheesh who bagged the first goal of the game to start things off for the home side right before the 30-minute mark.
The Kochi-based player celebrated the goal by displaying a shirt with the name of their skipper Luka Majcen on the back who has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks due to a brutal injury he picked up during the previous game against Kerala Blasters.
Following the theme, the local crowd also voiced their support for the skipper who will likely play a big part in Punjab FC’s season altogether.
Punjab looked to double their lead as a corner from Mrzlijak went towards Rai but the latter failed to capitalise on it and the Indian international was not pleased by his efforts, letting out a wild roar in frustration.
The hosts looked to play with a lot of energy while Odisha seemed far from it with the visitors not looking like a well-oiled machine during the first half.
Dilmperis was for the most part heavily involved in the game, from yelling out instructions to calling out players who strayed away from the side’s plans. But the same can’t be said about the Odisha FC Head coach, Sergio Lobera who seemed visibly frustrated by his side’s display in the first 45 minutes.
At the start of the 2nd half, the Punjab FC striker, Mushaga Bakenga had a great chance to double their lead, but like most of the game, the striker struggled to make his mark. The Kochi lad, Sudeesh had yet another moment of brilliance as he passed it to Mrzlijak who then squared it off to Bakenga, but it just was destined to be for the Norwegian who was hunting for his maiden goal in Punjab colours.
Despite being a goal down, Odisha did not look like they were out of the contest. The visitors looked to keep pinging the long balls to either flank in hopes that one might sneak its way onto the middle. Ahmed Jahouh was the man in the middle who looked to orchestrate this plan of attack but with many men going forward, it meant that they were vulnerable to the counter. Once again, Nihal showcased his brilliant form by setting up yet another chance for Bakenga who failed to make it count. The Norwegian was eventually subbed out along with Rai for Leon Augustine and Ricky Shabong.
The substitute proved to be the right call yet again as Augustine managed to extend the lead. Celebrations ran wild as the goal-scorer jumped across and made his way to the fans to make their day one to remember.
But Punjab had their tails up as they conceded an own-goal during injury time but it proved to be insufficient as the home side made it two games in two to join Bengaluru FC at the top of the table.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the game, Dilmperis believes that Bakenga’s struggles in front of goal is expected considering that he has to adapt to the conditions. The Head Coach emphasised that it is not that the forward has not been putting in the work and also trusts him to lead the line for the Shers.
“For that first goal, Bakenga is a great player. We have seen him play at a high level and be involved in all of the things,” the Punjab FC Head Coach shared at the post-match press conference.
“The previous time it was something that we designed with Luka that he will go on the second post when Kerala will be high and today Bakenga,” he added.
As for the Odisha FC Head Coach, he remains confident in the side despite picking up losses in the first two games of the season. He believes that the team is going on the right track but wants to see some excitement and the hunger to win.
“No, we are not feeling pressure. The pressure is in other things in life. I think we are playing the football. We want to win. We are ambitious, we are professionals. We are disappointed about the results. But the team direction of the team was good,” Lobera commented.
“We need to feel excitement, we need to try to prove ourselves in a different situation. We are ready for a big challenge or we are ready for another thing. Now is a moment to show everyone who is the potential of these types,” he added.
With the win, Punjab FC have shot themselves to second in the league standings and joins Bengaluru FC as the only two sides to have won their first two games. Meanwhile, Odisha FC will be under pressure having picked up consecutive losses to begin their domestic season.
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